Lourdes: The Complete Guide

Lourdes is a renowned pilgrimage destination located in the Pyrénées mountains, attracting visitors from around the world. The town is most famous for the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, where millions of pilgrims visit each year to pray, seek healing, and experience the peaceful atmosphere. The sanctuary, along with its beautiful basilicas and chapels, offers visitors a serene environment to reflect and connect with the spiritual. The town itself is filled with charming streets, local markets, and quaint cafes, making it a pleasant destination for both pilgrims and tourists.

In addition to its religious significance, Lourdes offers outdoor enthusiasts the opportunity to explore the stunning natural landscapes surrounding the town. The nearby Gave de Pau River offers a peaceful setting for leisurely walks, while the surrounding Pyrenees Mountains provide fantastic hiking opportunities. Whether you’re visiting for the spiritual experience, the natural beauty, or simply to enjoy a relaxing getaway, Lourdes offers a diverse and enriching experience for all types of travelers.

History of Lourdes

Early History of Lourdes

Lourdes began as a small settlement, with its earliest mention dating back to the 1st century AD. The area was originally inhabited by the Celts and later the Romans, who established a presence in the region. During the medieval period, Lourdes was a minor town, primarily focused on agriculture and trade, and was part of the historical region of Bigorre.

Lourdes in the 19th Century

Lourdes gained global recognition in 1858 following the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to a young peasant girl named Bernadette Soubirous. This event marked the beginning of Lourdes’ transformation into a major pilgrimage site, as it was believed that the Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette in a cave known as the Grotto of Massabielle. The apparitions, along with the discovery of a spring within the grotto, led to Lourdes becoming a center for religious faith, healing, and devotion.

Lourdes in the 20th Century

In the 20th century, Lourdes experienced significant growth due to its status as a major Catholic pilgrimage site. The sanctuary and its accompanying basilicas were expanded to accommodate the influx of pilgrims visiting each year. The town also saw the construction of numerous religious buildings and facilities to support the pilgrims, including the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary and the Basilica of St. Pius X. Lourdes became an international destination for both religious visitors and those seeking physical and spiritual healing.

Lourdes in the 21st Century

Today, Lourdes remains one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world, attracting millions of visitors annually. The town continues to play a vital role in the Catholic faith, drawing people for spiritual reflection, prayer, and healing. Lourdes has expanded its facilities to accommodate the growing number of visitors, and it remains a peaceful sanctuary offering solace, hope, and faith to people of all backgrounds.

Visiting Lourdes for the first time and wondering what are the top places to see in the city? In this complete guide, I share the best things to do in Lourdes on the first visit. To help you plan your trip, I have also included an interactive map and practical tips for visiting!

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1. Lourdes Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes is the heart of the pilgrimage site, centered on the Grotto of Massabielle where Saint Bernadette Soubirous witnessed Marian apparitions in 1858. Pilgrims queue to touch the rock face and collect spring water believed to have healing properties. The open-air processions—both the daily torchlight procession at 9 pm and the Marian procession in the morning—draw hundreds who walk in prayer around the Rosary Basilica and through the esplanade.

Surrounding the grotto are multiple basilicas built into the hillside. The Neo-Byzantine Rosary Basilica, with its colorful mosaics and five cupolas, hosts the Blessed Sacrament chapel; mass times vary seasonally but generally run from 7 am to 7 pm. Access to all sanctuary grounds is free and open daily, though queues for entry into the grotto can form during peak season.

2. Lourdes Basilica of Saint Pius X

Carved beneath the slope of the Massabielle rock, the underground Basilica of Saint Pius X seats up to 25,000 worshippers beneath its low-arched concrete vault. The vast expanse is illuminated by subdued lighting and features oversized Stations of the Cross—ideal for sheltered pilgrimage during inclement weather. The basilica holds multiple daily services, beginning with early morning mass at 6 am and concluding with evening vespers at 8 pm; entry is free.

Beneath the main hall, mezzanine areas display religious art and artifacts donated by pilgrims over the decades. Guided tours (€4; daily 10 am–4 pm) provide historical context on the basilica’s construction (1955–1958) and its role in modern Lourdes devotion.

3. Maison Natale de Sainte Bernadette (Boly Mill)

The Boly Mill, birthplace of Bernadette Soubirous in 1844, has been meticulously restored to reflect the modest home of her washerwoman family. Rooms are furnished with period-appropriate household items, while interpretive panels recount Bernadette’s early years and the social conditions of mid-19th-century Lourdes. Entry €5; open daily 9 am–6 pm.

Audio guides (available in multiple languages) lead visitors through the kitchen where Bernadette was born, the family’s attic sleeping quarters, and the laundry area by the riverbank. A small gift shop at the exit offers spiritual books and replicas of the mill.

4. Château Fort de Lourdes

Overlooking the town, the medieval Château Fort dates to the 11th century and was later modified by Vauban in the 17th century. Its ramparts and towers offer panoramic views over the Pyrenean foothills and the Gave de Pau river valley. Entry €7; open April–October 10 am–6 pm, November–March 10 am–5 pm.

Inside, the museum displays archaeological finds from local excavations, traditional regional costumes and military artifacts. Interactive exhibits explain fortress construction techniques, and an audio-visual presentation in the main keep narrates the castle’s strategic role through successive conflicts.

5. Pic du Jer Funicular and Summit

A short walk from the town center leads to the Pic du Jer funicular station, where 100-year-old cable cars ascend 350 m in under ten minutes to a summit plateau at 950 m. Round-trip tickets cost €12; daily departures from 9 am to 6 pm (extended to 8 pm in summer).

At the top, viewing platforms look out across Lourdes, the Hautacam ridge and the central Pyrenees peaks. Hiking trails of varying difficulty radiate from the summit, and a small café serves refreshments. In summer months, guided nature walks (€8; 10 am and 3 pm) introduce local flora and fauna.

6. Lourdes Grotto Water Baths

Adjacent to the grotto, the Lourdes Baths (Piscines) allow pilgrims to immerse themselves in spring water, believed to possess therapeutic virtues. Separate men’s and women’s pavilions contain rows of individual stalls with attendants assisting visitors. Bathing sessions €25 include a supply of towels; open daily 8 am–12 pm and 2 pm–6 pm.

Most pilgrims book time slots through their parish or group leader, but individual spaces are occasionally available for drop-ins. Changing rooms and secure lockers are provided, and medical staff are on call for those requiring assistance in and out of the water.

7. Lourdes Stations of the Cross (Way of the Cross)

Carved into the hillside above the sanctuary, the 14 Stations of the Cross trail ascend for 1 km along a paved path lined with life-sized bronze sculptures by Georges-Bertrand. The walk begins near the Rosary Basilica and culminates at a small chapel offering sweeping views of the sanctuary below.

The trail is open 24/7 and is particularly atmospheric at dawn when mist clings to the valley. The path is lit at night until 10 pm, allowing pilgrims to pray the stations by lantern light, often accompanied by candle-bearing processions during Holy Week.

8. Musée de Cire de Lourdes (Wax Museum)

The Wax Museum presents life-sized figures depicting Saint Bernadette’s apparitions, milestones of her life, and scenes from Lourdes’ medieval past. Entry €4; open daily 10 am–6 pm.

Each room recreates a moment in time, from the simple grotto encounter to Bernadette’s canonization. Informational placards provide context, while realistic dioramas encourage reflective contemplation. The modest size makes for a concise, immersive experience lasting around 45 minutes.

9. Lac de Lourdes

Just 3 km north of the town lies the Lac de Lourdes, a serene lake offering pedal-boat and row-boat rentals (€10 per hour; 9 am–7 pm April–September). A flat, 5-km path encircles the shoreline, ideal for walking, jogging or cycling.

Picnic tables dot shaded groves of plane trees, and children’s playgrounds ensure family-friendly appeal. Seasonal festivals on the lakeside lawn include outdoor concerts in July and an autumn craft fair in late September, making the lake a local leisure hub.

10. Musée du Gemmail et de la Création d’Art

This specialized museum showcases gemmail—an enamel-on-glass art form revived in the 1930s—alongside rotating exhibits by local glass artists. Entry €6; open Tuesday–Sunday 10 am–1 pm and 2 pm–6 pm.

Brightly lit displays feature intricate panels that glow from behind, illustrating biblical scenes and abstract compositions. Workshops (€15, 2 hours; pre-booking required) let visitors try simple enamel techniques, producing small keepsakes to take home.